I like this story for what it represents to me: where I grew up in Connecticut, the naturalist I was as a child (and still am today), the belief I have in the epigraph by Roger Tory Peterson, whom I once met and have always admired. The environmental ethics are wonderful, but the characters and plot just didn't grab me as I wished it would have. I'm glad I read it; it brought back pleasant childhood memories, but it is not a book I cherish. It felt like the author tried too hard to fit too many themes into one story and it came out a bit pedantic and shallow, I'm sorry to say. ( )

Artemis Sparke is a friend of wild creatures, plants and ghosts, and a passionate advocate for the natural world. She lives and works with her mother cleaning rooms in a historic Connecticut seaside hotel. Her mother's boyfriend owns the hotel, which is negatively impacting the surrounding wildlife. Artemis is often bullied by other kids because of her stutter, and feels more comfortable in the natural world, than with most people. She experiences feelings of frustration and helplessness in her quest to save her beloved salt marsh, as the adults around her frequently fail her (except for a kind environmentalist neighbor). Her best friend Warren is sympathetic but is dealing with an abusive father. Artemis is a complex, relatable and flawed character who must, in her effort to protect her local ecosystem, face her fears, help her friends and learn how to stand up for what she believes in. Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade is a hopeful, informative story with an inspiring message.
Part of the proceeds from book sales will benefit Save the Sound, a non-profit that works to fight climate change and promote ecological restoration in the Long Island Sound area, where the story is set.
Thank you to BooksForwardPR and the author for a copy to review. ( )

Artemis Sparke is a young woman who lives on the Long Island Sound within the hotel that her mother works at. Artemis doesn't always get along with or understand people, but the plants and animals of the salt marsh are her comfort zone. Art takes careful notes and data in her nature journal about the salt marsh ecosystem; this year, Art notices some things about the marsh that tell her it is in trouble. However, Art can't get any of the adults to listen except for her neighbor Mrs. Moonchaser. Art also believes that activities at the hotel are negatively impacting the salt march. She comes up with a plan to help the marsh with the help of the Sound Seekers Brigade, but her actions might impact the hotel and her family's livelihood. With the encouragement of some unlikely friends, Art and the Sound Seekers Brigade find a way for the hotel and the salt marsh to help one another thrive.

Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade is a young adult story of environmental activism and working with our differences. Artemis is charming in her care and knowledge of the salt marsh. I love that Artemis named some of the plants and animals that she had gotten to know well and her careful notes in a nature journal are just like a professional! Artemis most likely has a neurodivergence, but it is never directly addressed, which is fine because it is not the focus of the story. However, this definitely causes issues with her human friendships and how she relates with the other adults around her causing additional stress. Artemis does display some great ways to get into environmental activism, writing a letter to the editor, environmental art, fundraising, trash pick up and starting an activist group. I was a little displeased about the adults in the story, but that is typical of YA fiction. It seemed that Artemis should have had one of her parents on her side or that at least understood her passion and not just a neighbor. The inclusion of the ghosts in the story was an interesting way for Artemis to learn the history of the hotel within the salt marsh and help the adults understand how to work together; however I felt the idea could have been a little more fleshed out. I wanted more history of who the past hotel guests were and maybe more spirit sightings. Overall, a wonderful realistic fiction with diverse characters and a wonderful environmental angle.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. ( )